Cooperation Sought Between Two Competing New Jersey Arenas

Izod Center Unlikely To Close Before Election

The fight over whether Izod Center or Prudential Center will "serve as New Jersey’s prime sports and entertainment destination ... has increased debate over how best to use public dollars during a deepening recession and how to make such decisions in the context of notorious regional tussles that typify New Jersey politics,” according to Jeffery Mays of the N.Y. TIMES. New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is facing a “tightening election race,” and he has "called for cooperation between the two arenas." New Jersey state Senate President Richard Codey said, “I don’t think anybody wants to shut the Izod Center before an election. This question about the two arenas has been hanging around too long. After the election, the governor has to make a decision.” Newark Mayor Cory Booker added, “We have got to find a way to create two arenas that work.” Mays reported talks are under way for the NJSEA, which operates Izod Center, to "have a role in managing the Prudential Center.” Devils Owner Jeffrey Vanderbeek said that he “would like to see more cooperation between all of those involved in planning events at both places.” Vanderbeek: “We have had a couple of meetings centered on the coordination of concerts and acts so that both parties are not taken advantage of by the leverage acts and promoters have.” NJSEA President & CEO Dennis Robinson said that the two arenas “could thrive under a cooperative agreement” (N.Y. TIMES, 5/3).